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Match Report

TORQUAY UNITED 1 GRIMSBY TOWN 1

TORQUAY United returned to The Launa Windows Stadium hoping to build on our away form against a buoyant Grimsby Town side.

There was an early booking for Durrell Berry as he halted Marshall’s progress as he looked to break.

Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges as the game was open early on.

A powerful and mazy run from Bogle ended with him getting in a low strike that was well saved by Fabian Spiess.

Some neat play from United saw Courtney Richards find some space to get in a strike which was blocked by the ‘keeper before the loose ball was cleared.

At the other end, an inviting ball into the danger zone just got away from Amond in front of goal.

There was a good effort from Alex Fisher who turned sharply on the right-hand side of the area before getting in a first-time strike that McKeown did well to save.

United were standing up to the physical challenge being presented to us by our visitors as the game remained open as the half went on.

With 37 minutes on the clock, United took the lead just as our visitors were starting to build some momentum as a corner was flicked on by Fisher and found its way to Richards whose strike was deflected up into the air and Tyrone Marsh was alert to head home from close range to open the scoring.

With our tails up, Dan Butler did well out wide on the left and his cross just evaded both Marsh and Fisher and The Mariners were able to scramble clear.

Some neat control by James Hurst ended with him trying his luck from distance as the ball sailed over.

Right at the end of the opening period, a United corner saw Hurst bravely get in a header which was cleared off the line.

It meant that we went in at the break one goal to the good having been resolute when we needed to be, whilst also causing problems in attack.

The second period started with a corner from Butler headed just wide by Marsh.

Having survived an dangerous corner from the visitors which ended with Spiess requiring treatment, some sharp play from Marsh saw him set up a shooting chance for himself but his effort was off target.

United playing with a good tempo and not letting our opponents settle on the ball.

A through-ball was almost latched onto by Marsh but Pearson was alert to the danger as he headed back into the grateful arms of McKeown.

An inviting free-kick from Butler forced a corner which saw the ball half-cleared back to Butler whose delivery to the far post saw Marsh unable to turn the ball home as The Mariners survived.

There was a yellow card for Hurst following a foul as the visitors started to show their frustration with just over 15 minutes to go.

A free-kick from Hurst was whipped in towards goal and the ball flashed inches wide of the post with the ‘keeper rooted to the spot.

There was a stop-start nature to the game with a couple of bookings for the visitors for fouls.

A free-kick for Grimsby saw Disley head wide at the far post before they grabbed an equaliser when Bogle broke through and was fouled inside the area by Spiess. The ‘keeper was given a yellow card as Bogle stepped up to make it 1-1 with a confident spot-kick.

The first change for United saw Shepherd Murombedzi replace Hurst.

With the visitors upping the pressure, Spiess did superbly well to deny Pittman from close range and from the resulting corner, Pearson’s header was cleared off the line by Nicholson.

United having to dig in and defend in numbers as the clock ticked down.

There was a late change as Ashley Yeoman replaced Alex Fisher in attack but neither side were able to grab the winner as it ended all square as we extended our unbeaten run to three games.